Strategy & Transformation

Across the country, decisions on local government reorganisation are landing. Structures are being confirmed, shadow authorities are forming, and a wave of councils are moving from the decision phase and into the delivery phase. In this blog, written by Laura Bridges, Director and LGR lead at 31ten, Laura sets out key considerations for councils facing...

As Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) accelerates across England, councils face the challenge of delivering significant structural change while continuing to support economic growth and investment. But how can leaders ensure growth remains a priority when organisational transformation demands so much attention? First-hand insights of LGR Drawing on insights from a recent senior leaders' virtual roundtable...

With the news, and indeed Downing Street abuzz, with talk of a potential No.10 office in Manchester, at 31ten, we are thinking ahead to what this could mean for devolution.   Greater Manchester has been one of devolution’s great success stories.  Arguably, a non-London centric No.10 outpost would be better placed in an ‘up-and-coming’ combined authority, rather than the mature combined authority that is Greater Manchester. However, the proposed...

Recent coverage in The Guardian highlights a trend local authorities and colleges have been quietly managing for several years: falling birth rates are now translating into surplus school places. In London, this is particularly acute. Rolls are declining, funding is tightening, and yet the cost of maintaining under-occupied buildings remains stubbornly high.  This is not a short-term fluctuation. Over the past 12 months,...

In 2022, reports of misogyny, racism, and bullying within UK Fire and Rescue Services reached national headlines following the Independent Cultural Review of the London Fire Brigade.  Although the review focused specifically on the London Fire Brigade, its findings resonated across the entire sector. The high-profile coverage prompted Fire and Rescue Services throughout the UK...

LGR offers once-in-a-generation digital opportunities, but tackling the risks is crucial Local government reorganisation is often framed in structural terms. Which councils combine, which boundaries change, who leads the new authorities, what the constitution looks like. All important. But if you want new organisations to feel coherent to residents and staff, the conversation quickly becomes...

Following the recent SEND White Paper publication, 31ten is delighted to announce a new partnership with Mime, bringing together our combined expertise to support local authorities, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), and schools as they prepare for and then implement the SEND reforms. The upcoming reforms represent a major opportunity to strengthen local SEND systems, improve outcomes...

Once the dust has settled, it will be essential to plan for regular progress reviews to ensure success. How are former LEP functions delivering against the local vision agreed in planning for integration? 

Once the dust has settled, it will be essential to plan for regular progress reviews to ensure success. How are former LEP functions delivering against the local vision agreed in planning for integration? 

Enabling services, core functions, support services – whatever you call them – if you haven’t reviewed and redesigned this part of your organisation since the pandemic, you’re likely missing a trick.  Our experience tells us you could be carrying 20% cost inefficiency.    At the risk of stating the obvious, the public sector operating environment has…